Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

Ontario, with its vibrant cities and economic opportunities, stands as Canada’s most sought-after destination for immigrants worldwide. Boasting nearly 40 percent of the Canadian population, Ontario is a hub of diversity, innovation, and growth. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is your key to unlocking the doors of opportunity.

Overview of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario PNP, officially known as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), has been shaping the immigration landscape since its launch in 2007, with a primary focus on addressing skill shortages, encouraging investment, and ensuring seamless integration.

Under the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Ontario’s PNP allocation has been increased. In 2025-2026, Ontario has prioritized healthcare workers and skilled trades in its targeted draws, aligned with IRCC’s national category-based Express Entry priorities.

Categories Under the OINP

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) identifies potential candidates and reaches out to them directly via Notification of Interest (NOI). Candidates cannot apply directly; they must wait to receive an NOI. Ontario offers four distinct immigration categories:

• Human Capital Category
• Masters or Ph.D Category
• Employer Job Offer Category
• Business Category

Human Capital Priorities Stream

Eligibility Criteria

• Intention to reside and work in Ontario.
• Valid Express Entry Profile and Job Seeker Validation code required.
• Must meet criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class.
• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree or higher (three-year diplomas are ineligible).
• Educational Credential Assessment required if the degree obtained outside Canada.
• Minimum CLB 7 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
• No Job Offer Required. Must demonstrate required settlement funds for family size.

French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum CLB 7 in French and CLB 6 in English.
• Valid Express Entry Profile; must meet criteria for FSWP or CEC.
• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree or higher. ECA required.
• No Job Offer Required.

French-speaking immigrants are a key priority. Under the 2026-2028 plan, Canada targets 9% of all PR admissions outside Quebec to be Francophone, rising to 10.5% by 2028. Ontario’s French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream aligns directly with this national priority.

Masters Graduate Stream

Eligibility Criteria

• Must have completed at least one year of full-time study and obtained a Master’s from an eligible Ontario university.
• Minimum CLB 7 in all sections of an approved language test.
• Must have lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years.
• Expression of Interest (EOI) required. Must apply within two years of the Master’s degree date.

PhD Graduate Stream

Eligibility Criteria

• Must have obtained a PhD from an eligible Ontario university, with two years of study completed in Ontario.
• Must have lived in Ontario for at least one year in the past two years.
• EOI required. Must apply within two years of PhD date.

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream

Job Offer Criteria

• Position: Full-time, paid, permanent, indeterminate in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC.
• Wage: Must meet the median wage for the occupation and region.
• Employer: Position must be essential to the business, and work must be primarily in Ontario.
• Expression of Interest (EOI) Required

Applicant Criteria

• Work Experience: At least two years of full-time work experience in the same occupation within the last five years.
• Licensing: Valid license or authorization if required.
• Intention to Reside: Must plan to live and work in Ontario.

Employer Criteria

• Active business for at least three years.
• Minimum $500,000 annual revenue if outside GTA; $1,000,000 if within GTA.
• Minimum 5 full-time Canadian/PR employees within GTA; 3 if outside GTA.

Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream

Job Offer Criteria

• Position: Full-time, paid, permanent, and indeterminate in TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC.
• Wage: Must meet or exceed the low wage level for the occupation and region.
• Expression of Interest (EOI) Required
• Employer: Position must be essential to the business, and work must be primarily in Ontario.

Applicant Criteria

• Education: Completed an undergraduate or graduate degree/diploma from an eligible Canadian institution.
• Licensing: Valid license or authorization if required.
• Intention to Reside: Must plan to live and work in Ontario.
• Application Timing: Must apply within two years of the date on the degree/diploma.

Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream

Job Offer Criteria

• Position: Full-time, paid, permanent, and indeterminate in specific in-demand NOC occupations.
• Wage: Must meet the median wage level for the occupation and region.
• Employer: Position must be essential to the business, and work must be primarily in Ontario.
• Expression of Interest (EOI) Required

Applicant Criteria

• Work Experience: At least nine months of full-time work experience in Ontario in the same in-demand occupation within the last three years.
• Licensing: Valid license or authorization if required.
• Language Proficiency: Minimum CLB 4 in all sections of an approved language test.
• Education: Minimum high school diploma, assessed by an approved organization.
• Intention to Reside: Must plan to live and work in Ontario.
• Settlement Funds: Must demonstrate the required funds for family size.

Employer Criteria

• Business Operations: Active business for at least three years.
• Revenue: Minimum $500,000 annual revenue if outside Greater Toronto Area (GTA); $1,000,000 if within GTA.
• Employees: Minimum five full-time Canadian or permanent resident employees if within GTA; three if outside GTA; three if outside GTA.

How ImmigCanada Can Help You?

Our team at ImmigCanada has assisted thousands of individuals in immigrating to Canada. With the assistance of our experienced RCICs, we will help you with your application as well as the right pathway to Canada. With our extensive experience in the burgeoning immigration industry, we have embarked on our niche in the industry with our strong reputation and a vast wealth of goodwill. We have consistently helped aspiring immigrants looking to settle in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)